Apparatus for bar-bell type exercises



DeC- 26, 1967 c. E. SOLLENBERGER 3,359,802

APPARATUS FOR BAR-BELL TYPE EXERCISES DeC- 26, 1967 c. E. SOLLENBERGER3,359,802

APPARATUS FOR BAR-BELL TYPE EXERCISES Filed May 8, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet2- 32 Bijl@ M F155 Bsv. -lo

IMI

INVENTOR.

Carl E. 501 lenbergev www Dec. 26, 1967 C, E SOLLNBERGER y 3,359,802

APPARATUS FOR BAH-BELL TYPE EXERCISES Filed May 8, 1964 5 SheetS-Sheet 554 N/o J 6l 66 Cavi E. Sollenberqer tornag United States Patent O3,359,802 APPARATUS FOR BAR-BELL TYPE EXERCISES Carl E. Sollenberger, 94W. Salome St., Akron, Ollio 44310 Fixed May s, 1964, ser. No. 365,894 11Claims. (Cl. 73-379) This invention relates to exercising apparatus, andin particular relates to hydraulically controlled apparatus for bar-belltype exercises.

One object of the present invention is to provide apparatus of thecharacter described including a hydraulically operable means forsimulating various bar-bell lifting exercises, and provided with controlmeans -by which the user can automatically vary the amount of liftingeffort required by similarly varying the lifting speed applied to thebar-bell device.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thecharacter described by which the effort required to lower the bar-belldevice is automatically minimized, so that the exerciser will not besubjected to possi-ble injurious muscular strains due to sudden transferof supporting energy from one set of muscles to another.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bar-bell device of thecharacter described which is easily adjustable for use for isometricexercises. Still another object of the invention is to provide ahydraulically operable bar-bell type of exercising device which isreadily adaptable for use in various standing, squatting, sitting andlying-down types of exercises.

Another object of the invention is to provide an exercising device oflthe character described wherein is provided indexing means for quicklyadjusting the effective lifting resistance of the device, within a widerange of pressures from zero, for isometric exercising through asubstantial range of effective lifting weights.

Another object of the invention is -to provide a weightlifting type ofexercising device of the character described, having improved means forvertically adjusting the effective height of the bar-bell means.

Other objects of the invention will be manifest from the following briefdescription and the accompanying drawings.

Of the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE l is a front elevation of a bar-bell exercising device embodyingthe features of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation of the same, as viewed from the left ofFIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged vertical cross-section, partly broken away,through the left-hand hydraulic cylinder in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the structure shown in FIGURE 3, and onthe same scale.

FIGURE 5 is a cross-section corresponding to FIG- URE 3, illustrating amodified type of hydraulic cylinder.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view, on a reduced scale, of a modified formof bar-bell exercising device, adapted for use in a single-cylinderhydraulic unit.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged cross-section taken substantially on the line7-7 of FIGURE 6.

Referring to FIGURES l to 4 of the drawings, there is illustrated oneembodiment of the invention, wherein a horizontal bar 10` is aixed tothe upper ends of piston rods 11, 11 extending from a pair of laterallyspaced hydraulic cylinders 12, 12. These cylinders may be pivoted3,359,82 Patented Dec. 26, 1967 ICC at the lower ends thereof to pins 13on U-shaped brackets 14, to be selectively swingable in vertical planes,between forwardly inclined, substantially upright, offcenter positionsof rest, shown in chain-dotted lines at the left of FIGURE 2 and angularpositions, shown in chaindotted lines on the right of FIGURE 2, morenearly approaching the horizontal, as for sitting or lying-down types ofexercises. The cylinders are retained in the olfcenter, at restpositions by stop engagement of lower edges 15 of the cylinders withedge portions 16 of the -brackets 13. Brackets 13 may be Ibolted orscrewed to a suitable board or base 17 to be portable therewith, or theymay be secured directly onto a Hoor.

As best shown in FIGURE 3, each piston rod 11 may have suitably axed tothe lower end thereof, a hollow piston head 18 to which is removablyaffixed a cup-type washer 19 of leather, rubber, or like flexiblematerial for sliding, fluid-sealing engagement with the cylinder wall20, in known manner. By-pass means is provided for bypassing thehydraulic iiuid between the upper and lower sides of the washer, whichmeans may include passages 22, 22 in the head 18 above the washercommunicating with a chamber 23 within the head, which in turncornmunicates with the lower side of the washer through an axial passage24 in a downward extension of the head. For varying the amount of fluidto 4be bypassed, a valve pin 25 is axially slidable in a passage 26through piston rod 11, toward and from closed, complemental sealingengagement of a conical lower end 27 with a conical seat 28 in the headat the upper end of passage 24. Thus, varying the effective size of thevalve opening to passage 24 will correspondingly vary the power requiredto raise the piston rods 11. The size of the said valve opening,however, does not affect the downward stroke of the piston, because thehydraulic fluid is then free to ilow past the edges of the upturnedperipheral edge of the washer in known manner. In other Words, thedownward stroke of the piston is accomplished without substantialresistance whether the by-pass valve pin is closed or not.

For axiallyadjusting the valve pin 25 in piston rod 11, the upper end ofpin 25 may be threadedly extended at 31 through a nut 32, removablythreaded in the upper side of the horizontal bar 10. Pin 25 may berotated through a series of axially adjusted positions, by means of aknob 33, axed on the outer end of pin extension 31, and the knob mayhave thereon a dial 34 provided with a scale of lifting pressures interms of pounds, whereby the effective lifting pressures may beindicated by a pointer 35 aixed on` the bar 10. The effective upwardpressures `applied to each piston 12, by manual upward lifting actionapplied to the bar 19, otherwise may be manifested on a pressure gauge36 axed to the respective cylinders 12 (see FIGURES 3 and 4).

O-rings are provided in each cylinder unit, as indicated at 37 and 38,to seal against leakage of hydraulic fluid between valve pin 25 andpiston rod 11, and between the latter and the top of cylinder 12,respectively.

In use of the device of FIGURES 1 to 4 for a lbar-bell type of exercise,such as an arm curl, the assembly will be in the condition shown in fulllines in FIGURES l and 2. Grasping the bar 10 with -both hands the userslowly elevates the bar to a full curl position, as indicated inchain-dotted lines in FIGURE 1, against requisite heavy pressure of thetwo pistons required to force hydraulic fluid from the upper portion ofthe cylinders through the by-pass passages 22 and 24. If the effectivelifting pressures are too high or too low, the exerciser opens or closesthe passages 24 correspondingly by turning knobs 33. The gauges 36 willindicate at least approximations of such changes in pressures. In anyevent, should the exerciser feel that he is exceeding his lWeightlifting capacity at any point, he need yonly ease the lifting rate toreduce the effective lifting weight This instant control over thelifting pressures is particularly important because muscle tension isautomatically released at normal completion of a given exercise or bydiscontinuing the exercise at any point of the movements thereof. Thisfeature has a distinct advantage over use of standard bar-bell units, inthat the danger of injury, due to suddent transfer of lifting strainsfrom one set of muscles to another, is eliminated.

Various other types of bar-bell exercises may be practiced by changingthe angle of the unit and/ or standing on a stool or platform (notshown) placed beneath the bar 10. Rowing exercises may be practiced froma sitting position on base 17, while the assembly is angularly adjustedsomewhat as shown in chain-dotted lines in FIG- URE 2. Examples of otherexercises possible with the device include the sitting press, kneebends, leg presses, shoulder shrugs, bench presses, and many others.

When isometric exercising is desired, the bar 1f) is extended asrequired and the valve pins are adjusted to close the passages 24 ofcylinders 12. This in effect locks the piston heads 18 and bar 10 ingiven positions. This type of exercising may be practiced with thepivotable assembly positioned at any desired angle about pivot pins 13,13, as before. Even when the pistons are locked, as described, thegauges 36 will indicate applied lifting effort against the fixed bar1f), because there lwill be corresponding pressure varyingly applied tothe hydraulic fluid in the cylinders, which pressure will be indicatedon the gauges 36. This principle serves as a means to determine theequivalent of pounds of weight resisted, as well as to show improvementmade in lifting capacity.

FIGURE 5 illustrates a modified form of hydraulic cylinder unit, whereinthe piston rod 11a does not include a bypass valve in the piston orpiston head. A solid piston 18a on the lower end of a piston rod 11a hasan O-ring 38 between the piston and the wall 20a of the cylinder,thereby to prevent passage of hydraulic fiuid in either direction.Fittings 39 and 40 connected to the upper and lower ends, respectively,of the cylinder 12a have passages 41 and 42 adapted to communicate witheach other through a connecting pipe or fitting 43. With upward urgingof the piston 18a in cylinder 12a, uid is forced from the upper portionof cylinder 12a through passage 41 and a by-pass passage `44 in fitting39, pipe 43, and passage 42 of tting 40, to the lower end of thecylinder. The passage 41 in fitting 39 is otherwise normally held closedintermediate inlet and outlet ends of the by-pass passage 44, as by avalve 45 including a spring-pressed ball 46 engaging an annular seat 47.Upward movement of the piston is thereby restricted by liow of fluidaround the valve 45. The pressure required to move the piston 18a may bevaried by operation of a valve pin 48 threaded in fitting 39 foradjustment toward and from seating a tapered inner end 49 with a valveseat 50. With the valve pin 4S in either open or closed positions,reverse movement of the piston toward the lower end of the cylinder 12areverses the iiow of fiuid through spring-pressed valve 4S, so that suchmovement of the piston is not substantially resisted. The piston 18a maybe locked in any selected position against upward movement by closingthe by-pass passage 44 completely, as for use of the device forisometric exercises. Use of the hydraulic device of FIGURE 5 in thesystem of FIGURES l and 2 is lotherwise substantially the same asdescribed above in connection `with FIGURES 3 and 4.

Referring to FIGURES 6 and 7 there is illustrated a modified form of theinvention utilizing a single cylinder unit. The numeral 51 designates arigid immovable cantilevered T-bar having oppositely disposed hand-gripextensions 52, 52 from a cantilevered central leg 53 which is verticallyadjustably aixed to a vertical channel 54. A guide rod 55 is mountedparallel to the channel by being affixed between spaced plates 56 and57, in turn affixed to the back of the channel, and a slide block 58 ismounted intermediate said plates to have said guide rod 55 verticallyslidable through a slide bearing 59 in the block. Block 58 is affixed onthe upper end of a hydraulic cylinder 60 corresponding to the cylinder12 of FIGURE 3, the lower end -of cylinder `60 being affixed on the freeend of an arm 62 pivoted on a pin 61 on a U-shaped bracket 63, -which issecured to a floor, or to a base like the base 16 of FIGURES 1 and 2. Apiston rod 64 extends from the cylinder and upwardly of the block 5S,and is affixed at its upper end to the top plate 56 to move with theguide rod 55, in parallelism therewith. Adjustment means 66 is provided,corresponding to that shown at the upper portion of FIGURE 3, foradjusting the effective -uid pressure resisting upward movement of thechannel and associated parts with respect to cylinder 60 and head 58,upon application of manual upward pressure to the T-bar 51. Achannel-shaped portion on the block 58 slidably embraces the back of thechannel 54 for greater stability of relative movements of the parts.

The T-'bar may be vertically adjustably afxed on channel 54, byengagement of a -pin 66 through one pair `of holes 67 of a verticallyspaced series thereof in the channel flanges 68, 68, and through theinner end of leg 53 (see FIGURE 7). Rotational movement of T-bar 53 onpin 66 is prevented by reception of a reduced end 69 of leg 53 in one ofa corresponding series of vertically spaced holes 70 in the back of thechannel 54.

Vertical adjustment of the T-bar 51 may be made as necessary fordifferent kinds of exercises and to suit persons of different sizes orarm reaches. The point of juncture of the leg 53 and the aligned handgrip extensions 52 is adapted, in the relationship shown in FIGURE 6, tobe vertically aligned above the axis of pivot pin 61 and the center ofbracket 63. This arrangement is such that the various types of exercisespreviously referred to may be practiced, lby gripping the hand-gripextensions 52, substantially in the manner and for the exercisespreviously described in connection with FIGURES l to 4, including thoseaccomplished While the body is erect, or in sitting or lying-downpositions. Vertical adjustment of the T-bar 51 on the channel 54 makesit possible to perform pull-up types of exercises from the floor orsupporting base, that is, Without standing on a stool or other elevatingmeans. Sitting-up and lying-down exercises are accomplished by swingingthe exercising device on pivot pin 61, to the left as viewed in FIGURE6.

In the broadest aspects of the FIGURE 6 form of the invention the T-bar51 is important because it .provides a simple exercising device by whichcertain isometric exercises described above can easily be accomplishedfrom standing, sitting, or lying down postures without interference withthe relatively fixed upright unit.

Thus has been provided several forms of exercising devices which arecompact and efficient in operation, and which are easily mounted anddisassembled for exercising and storage purposes, respectively. For thesaid storage purposes, itis only necessary to remove respective pivotpins to permit removal of the exercising units from the U-shapedmounting brackets.

In the two modied forms of the invention exemplified in FIGURES 5 and 6,pressure gauges 36 may be provided at the tops of cylinders 12a and 60,respectively, substantially as shown in FIGURES l to 3. In all forms ofthe exercising units, when used as previously described for isometricexercises, the gauge 36 on each cylinder may be designed to indicate, ona dial thereof, the equivalent of a total weight, in pounds, liftedregardless of the number of cylinders used in the exercising units. Inthe unit of FIGURES 1 to 4, and in the locked positions of the twopistons for isometric exercising, if the pressure at the top of eachcylinder 12 is 50 p.s.i., the total weight lifted, las read on eachgauge would be 100 pounds. Accordingly, the dial of each gauge may havea scale on which the total elfective weights lifted would appear. Theactual p.si. for each cylinder may also be indicated on a separate scaleon its respective gauge. Accordingly, a person may determine exactlywhat progress he is making by means of isometric exercises, by readingthe total weight lifted, as registered on one of the gauges 36 at theexact points at which the respective pistons are locked against upwardmovement in the cylinders.

By means of the above described equipment, it is possible to duplicateupwards of twenty standard exercises for strengthening and buildingdifferent muscles of the body, and in a relatively small fraction of thetime required by isotonic exercising methods.

Other modifications of the invention may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An exercising device, comprising a hydraulic unit including a pair oflaterally spaced hydraulic cylinders !containing hydraulic fluid;attaching means pivotally anchoring said cylinders to a workingsurfaceto swing about an axis parallel thereto; a piston slidable ineach said cylinder and each having a piston rod thereon slidablyextended outwardly of the other end of the respective cylinder; rigidhand grip means aixed between the outward extensions of said piston rodsfor manually reciprocating said pistons in various selected positions ofswinging movement of said unit about said axis; and selectivelyadjustable by-pass means in said cylinders for controlling the effectivepressure required to be applied to said hand grip means to move pistonsin said cylinders in unison in at least one direction of the strokesthereof against the pressure of the fluid in the cylinders.

2. A device as in claim 1, said selectively adjustable means in eachsaid cylinder including a rst by-pass means for by-passing said iluidaround said piston only, in one direction of the stroke of the same, asecond bypass means for by-passing said fluid around said piston in theopposite direction of the stroke of the same, independently of said rstby-pass means; and valve means selectively operable to vary the flow offluid through said second by-pass means, and thereby correspondingly tovary the manual power required to move the piston in said oppositedirection.

3. An exercising device, comprising a hydraulic unit inclu-ding ahydraulic cylinder containing hydraulic uid; a bracket having means forattaching the same to a working surface; an arm pivotally attached atone end to said bracket and said cylinder being affixed at its lower endto the free end of said arm to be swingably supported thereby; a pistonslidable in said cylinder and having a piston rod thereon slidablyextended outwardly of the other end of the cylinder; a rigid framemounted on said cylinder and in-cluding a portion athxed to the outwardextension of said piston rod, whereby the frame is axially movable onsaid cylinder to reciprocate said piston; rigid hand grip means on saidframe for manually moving the same `axially with respect to saidcylinder in various selected positions of said swinging movement of saidarm; and selectively adjustable by-pass means in said cylinder forcontrolling the effective pressure required to be applied to saidhand-grip means to move said piston in the cylinder in at least onedirection of the stroke thereof against the pressure of the fluid in thecylinder.

4. A device as in claim 3, including means for releasably affixing saidhand-grip means to said frame at variable distances from said arm.

5. A device as in claim 4, said selectively adjustable means in eachsaid cylinder including a iirst by-pass means for by-passing said iluidaround said piston only, in one direction of the stroke of the same; asecond bypass means for by-passing said lluid around said piston in theopposite direction of the stroke of the same, independently of said rstby-pass means; and valve means selectively operable to vary the flow offluid through said second by-pass means, and thereby correspondingly tovary the manual power required to move the piston in said oppositedirection.

6. A device asin claim 3, said selectively adjustable means in each saidcylinder including a first by-pass means for luy-passing said uid aroundsaid piston only, in one direction of the stroke of the same; a secondby-pass means for by-passing said fluid around said piston in theopposite directions of the stroke of the same, independently of saidfirst by-pass means; and valve means selectively operable to vary theilow of iluid through said second by-pass means, and therebycorrespondingly to vary the manual power required to move the piston insaid opposite direction.

7. An isometric exercising device, comprising: a bracket having meansfor attaching the same to a working surface; an arm pivotally attachedat one end to said bracket to swing about a pivotal axis; a rigidupright affixed on said arm to be swingable therewith on said bracket; amember vertically adjustable to gripped positions on said upright toextend freely forwardly thereof and having hand-grip means on the freeend of the same for applying isometric pressure at said pivotal axis,indirectly through said gripped member, said upright and said arm; a hy--draulic cylinder containing hydraulic Huid; a piston operable withinsaid cylinder upon pivotal movement of said arm and adapted topressurize said hydraulic fluid; and means connected to said cylinderfor indicating variations in pressure of said fluid within saidcylinder.

8. An isometric exerciser as in claim 7, said upright being rearwardlyolset from said axis, and said hand-grip means being positionedforwardly of said upright to be in a dire-ct line of pull through saidaxis in all positions of pivotal movement of said arm.

9. An isometric exercising device for use in a room or other situshaving a horizontal working surface, comprising: a rigid upright; meansfor mounting said upright at the situs to anchor the same generally inupstanding relation to the Working surface of the situs to resistlongitudinal compression and tension stresses applied to the uprightwhile in said upstanding relation; a rigid stress applying memberadjustably rigidly connected to said upright; and cooperating adjustmentmeans on said member and said upright for adjustment of the location ofthe rigid connection of the member on the upright to the variably spacedpositions thereon above the working surface of the situs; said memberincluding at each position rigid irnmovable arm means xedly mounted onsaid upright and cantilevered of the situs forwardly of the upright andterminating in a laterally extending crossbar having gripping portionson each side of said rigid arm means; the space between said bross-barand the working surface of the situs being substantially free andunobstructed whereby in the variously spaced positions of the memberabove the working surface a person assuming various exercising postureson the said surface can engage parts of the body with the underside ofsaid crossbar to apply upward exercising pressure thereto.

10. An exercising device as in claim 9, wherein said means for mountingincludes a bracket for anchoring connection to said working surface anda forward extension on the lower end of said upright pivotally connectedto said bracket whereby the upright is swingable in a vertical planethrough said rigid arm means.

11. An exercising device as in claim 10 and wherein a line extendingfrom the intersection of the rigid arm means and the cross-bar to thepivotal axis of the pivotal connection of said bracket remains parallelto the longivertical plane.

7 8 tudinal axi's of the upright as the upright swings in the 3,142,3637/ 1964 Tamini 188-97 3,248,107 4/ 1966 Wolski et al. 272-83 ReferencesCited FOREIGN PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 565,630 11/1964 GreatBritain.

6/ 1901 Spalding 88--166 ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner. 4/1929Rodale 73--379 1/1937 Stronach 272 79 RICHARD PINKHAM, F. BARRY SHAY,Examzners. 1/ 1960 Berne 272-80 X W. R. BROWNE, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN EXERCISING DEVICE, COMPRISING A HYDRAULIC UNIT INCLUDING A PAIR OFLATERALLY SPACED HYDRAULIC CYLINDERS CONTAINING HYDRAULIC FLUID;ATTACHING MEANS PIVOTALLY ANCHORING SAID CYLINDERS TO A WORKING SURFACETO SWING ABOUT AN AXIS PARALLEL THERETO; A PISTON SLIDABLE IN EACH SAIDCYLINDER AND EACH HAVING A PISTON ROD THEREON SLIDABLY EXTENDEDOUTWARDLY OF THE OTHER END OF THE RESPECTIVE CYLINDER; RIGID HAND GRIPMEANS AFFIXED BETWEEN THE OUTWARD EXTENSIONS OF SAID PISTON RODS FORMANUALLY RECIPROCATING SAID PISTONS IN VARIOUS SELECTED POSITIONS OFSWINGING MOVEMENT OF SAID UNIT ABOUT SAID AXIS; AND SELECTIVELYADJUSTABLE BY-PASS MEANS IN SAID CYLINDERS FOR CONTROLLING THE EFFECTIVPRESSURE REQUIRED TO BE APPLIED TO SAID HAND GRIP MEANS TO MOVE PISTONSIN SAID CYLINDERS IN UNISON IN AT LEAST ONE DIRECTION OF THE STROKESTHEREOF AGAINST THE PRESSURE OF THE FLUID IN THE CYLINDERS.
 9. ANISOMETRIC EXERCISING DEVICE FOR USE IN A ROOM OR OTHER SITUS HAVING AHORIZONTAL WORKING SURFACE, COMPRISING: A RIGID UPRIGHT; MEANS FORMOUNTING SAID UPRIGHT AT THE SITUS TO ANCHOR THE SAME GENERALLY INUPSTANDING RELATION TO THE WORKING SURFACE OF THE SITUS TO RESISTLONGITUDINAL COMPRESSION AND TENSION STRESSES APPLIED TO THE UPRIGHTWHILE IN SAID UPSTANDING RELATION; A RIGID STRESS APPLYING MEMBERADJUSTABLY RIGIDLY CONNECTED TO SAID UPRIGHT; AND COOPERATING ADJUSTMENTMEANS ON SAID MEMBER AND SAID UPRIGHT FOR ADJUSTMENT OF THE LOCATION OFTHE RIGID CONNECTION OF THE MEMBER ON THE UPRIGHT TO THE VARIABLY SPACEDPOSITIONS THEREON ABOVE THE WORKING SURFACE OF THE SITUS; SAID MEMBERINCLUDING AT EACH POSITION RIGID IMMOVABLE ARM MEANS FIXEDLY MOUNTED ONSAID UPRIGHT AND CANTILEVERED OF THE SITUS FORWARDLY OF THE UPRIGHT ANDTERMINATING IN A LATERALLY EXTENDING CROSSBAR HAVING GRIPPING PORTIONSON EACH SIDE OF SAID RIGID ARM MEANS; THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID BROSS-BARAND THE WORKING SURFACE OF THE SITUS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY FREE ANDUNOBSTRUCTED WHEREBY IN THE VARIOUSLY SPACED POSITIONS OF THE MEMBERABOVE THE WORKING SURFACE A PERSON ASSUMING VARIOUS EXERCISING POSTURESON THE SAID SURFACE CAN ENGAGE PARTS OF THE BODY WITH THE UNDERSIDE OFSAID CROSSBAR TO APPLY UPWARD EXERCISING PRESSURE THERETO.